Using a 30-30 Lee factory crimp die on 32 Win. Special

[ol shooter]

The .30-30 is the parent case of the .32 Special, and the bullet diameter is only .013" different. Do you think I can successfully use the Lee factory crimp die for the .30-30 on the .32 Special without alterations to the die? Any input is appreciated.




I am a new member, and very happy to be here with other lever enthusiasts.
Win. 1894- .30-30 Win.
Win. 1894- .32 Win. Special
Marlin .444 Sporter
Browning BLR- .308 Win.
Henry H001- .22 LR

[3leggedturtle]

1ST OFF Welcome to the Forumn. It has the best bunch of enablers you'll ever want to meet. 2nd I have no idea if it would work. If you have it, try it. Tho I'm assuming yer thinking of buying one and want to know first if it will work. todd AKA 3leg

[J Miller]

Welcome to the forum.

I would strongly suggest buying the correct die. .013" maybe seem like a small amount, but it's enough to cause trouble. I've used a Lee FCD on my 30-30 ammo and there are some bullets it won't crimp. So they do have their limits.

Joe

[Canuck Bob]

Please note that I am passing on hearsay and not personal experience. I have read a few posts were guys used the 30-30 LFC Die for 32 Special. Please find someone to confirm real experience. I will search out some links if I can.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/reloa ... s-redding-

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... =1&t=37236 last post

[EdinCT]

Works like a charm for me. I read about it in Rifle Magizine I think, tried it and am very pleased.

[ollogger]

Welcome ol shooter
looks like ya have some nice Levers
my 30-30 Lee FCD works just fine on my 32 WS, with lead or a jacketed Bullet
in fact ill be loading some 32s tonight

ollogger

[Bob Hatfield]

Works fine. It works so good I believe that Lee doesnt make one for 32 special. Used my 30-30 FCD all the time for 32 Special

Bob

[Sixgun]

Works like a charm for me. I read about it in Rifle Magizine I think, tried it and am very pleased.

Me too, been doing that for 10 years or more. In fact, in order to expand on that subject, I use 38-40 crimp dies on several other 40 caliber rifle cartridges, like the 40-65 and the 40-82, 45-70 c die on the 45-90 on and on with many different calibers. The only thing you need to do is to make sure the host die is shorter than the cartridge you plan on using it on, then make up a piece of heavy copper tubing adapter that's the length of the difference in measurements between the two cartridges. example.. the 45 is 2.1 and the 45-90 is 2.4 so make the tubing .3 or .300 thousandths. Just slip this "adapter" over the cartridge before running it into the lfc die.---------6

[Griff]

and Welcome to THE Forum.

[AJMD429]

1. Lee will send you a custom FCD for whatever case you send them for twenty or so bucks, so it may be worth doing that. (Currently the spike in reloading interest has them backlogged, but I think it was $29 last time I checked.)

2. I prefer the 'rifle' FCD vs. the 'pistol' FCD (there is a BIG difference mechanically between the two types of Lee 'Factory Crimp' dies...!), so to crimp 44 Magnum ('pistol' type) I was using a 44-40 FCD ('rifle' type). The only 'critical' dimension was not the bullet-diameter, but rather the case length - for best results I filed a tiny bit off the base of the die so the case would be farther into the die before the crimp was triggered (by the sliding die-insert). With the proper cases for the die, 'case length' isn't really a big deal, but when pushing the limits by using the wrong die for a cartridge, it can matter. Anyway, no doubt you can use some dies for 'wrong' cartridges, and at least for the 44 Mag and 44-40, the 'issue' was not diameter, but length.

Once I found out they'd make a 'custom' die for you, I ordered a 44 Mag one in the 'rifle' configuration.

[ol shooter]

Thanks to all for the generous welcome and replies. I am happy to see some had success using the 30-30 FCD on the .32. I have die sets for both, but as you already know, Lee does not offer the FCD in the .32. It was my fathers rifle, given to my son by his uncle recently, and he wants to shoot it badly. Ammo is non-existent because of the panic, but I was able to find bullets and brass with little effort. So, I guess i had better get to loading, and see how the crimp does. Being a True Blue American like you all, I love the unique nature of the lever, as does my son. I would like to collect a few more vintage ones before I check out. Regards to all.

[Steelbanger]

1. Lee will send you a custom FCD for whatever case you send them for twenty or so bucks, so it may be worth doing that. (Currently the spike in reloading interest has them backlogged, but I think it was $29 last time I checked.)

2. I prefer the 'rifle' FCD vs. the 'pistol' FCD (there is a BIG difference mechanically between the two types of Lee 'Factory Crimp' dies...!), so to crimp 44 Magnum ('pistol' type) I was using a 44-40 FCD ('rifle' type). The only 'critical' dimension was not the bullet-diameter, but rather the case length - for best results I filed a tiny bit off the base of the die so the case would be farther into the die before the crimp was triggered (by the sliding die-insert). With the proper cases for the die, 'case length' isn't really a big deal, but when pushing the limits by using the wrong die for a cartridge, it can matter. Anyway, no doubt you can use some dies for 'wrong' cartridges, and at least for the 44 Mag and 44-40, the 'issue' was not diameter, but length.

Once I found out they'd make a 'custom' die for you, I ordered a 44 Mag one in the 'rifle' configuration.

AJMD429,

Ranch Dog for a short time sold custom Lee FC dies for the 357 & 44 Magnums. These were minus the resizing ring at the bottom of the die and crimped only. I suppose they turn up for sale on occasion. I'm happy with my two.

[ving-thorr]

So along this train of thought, can i use a 30-30. Fc die on other .30 cal cartridges? Whats the difference between one for 30-30 and one for 30-40?